THREE men are being hunted by police after a woman was raped in a Southampton park.

The 29-year-old endured the sex attack as she walked through Shirley Pond Park in Warren Avenue.

The incident sparked major police activity which saw a large area of woodland cordoned off on the edge of Southampton Common at the junction of Highfield Avenue.

Forensic teams were drafted in, scouring the area for evidence and clues to the attack.

Detectives based in Shirley have now launched an investigation, named Operation Humber, and are looking for three men thought to have been at the scene.

The first man is described as aged about 21, approximately 5ft 8in, with very short black hair and highly tanned skin. He was wearing a light green/blue-coloured round neck T-shirt and jeans and was of medium build.

The second man is of the same age, approximately 5ft 6in, with dark-coloured spiky gelled hair and wearing a dark-coloured T-shirt with white horizontal stripes and three-quarter length trousers.

The victim was unable to describe the third man.

The attack took place about 10pm on Friday, May 18.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Shirley CID quoting Operation Humber on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.